Effects of subzero saline chilling on broiler chilling efficiency, meat quality, and microbial safety.

The poultry industry has attempted to improve carcass chilling efficiency, meat quality, and product safety. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of subzero saline chilling on carcass chilling, breast fillet tenderness, and microbial safety. After evisceration, broiler carcasses were chilled using ice slurry control (0% NaCl/0.5°C) or subzero saline solutions (3% NaCl/-1.8°C and 4% NaCl/-2.41°C). Broiler carcasses in the subzero saline solutions were chilled efficiently and reduced the chilling time by 11% in 3% NaCl/-1.8°C and 37% in 4% NaCl/-2.41°C over the ice slurry chilling. The breast fillets of broiler carcasses in 4% NaCl/-2.41°C were significantly tenderized than those in water control (P < 0.05), with an intermediate value observed in 3% NaCl/-1.8°C. Before chilling, broiler carcasses possessed mesophilic aerobic bacteria, Escherichia coli, and total coliforms for 3.81, 0.78, and 1.86 log cfu/g, respectively, which were significantly reduced after chilling in 3% NaCl/-1.8°C or 4% NaCl/-2.41°C solution over the water control (P < 0.05), except the mesophilic aerobic bacteria. Based on these results, chilling of boiler carcass in 4% NaCl/-1.8°C solution appears to improve carcass chilling efficiency, meat tenderness, and bacterial reduction for E. coli and total coliforms.

Improvement of chilling efficiency and meat tenderness of broiler carcasses using subzero saline solutions.

Carcass chilling in subzero saline solutions has the potential to improve chilling efficiency and meat quality. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of subzero saline chilling on broiler carcass for chilling efficiency and breast tenderness. Broiler carcasses were chilled using 2 high saline solutions (4% NaCl/-2.41°C and 8% NaCl/-5.08°C) without (Experiment I) and with (Experiment II) a pre-chilling step, and 3 low saline solutions (1% NaCl/-0.6°C, 2% NaCl/-1.2°C, and 3% NaCl/-1.8°C) in Experiment III. Ice water slurry (0% NaCl/0.5°C) was used as a control. In Experiments I and II, the breast fillets of broilers in subzero saline solutions showed significantly lower shear forces than those in water control, regardless of salt content and temperature level (P < 0.05). In Experiment III, 3% NaCl/-1.8°C solution reduced the broiler chilling time by 22% over the water control, with an intermediated reduction (13 to 17%) observed for 1% NaCl/-0.6°C and 2% NaCl/-1.2°C solutions. Shear force was stepwise reduced as the salt concentration increased from 0 to 3% and the solution temperature decreased from 0.5 to -1.8°C. No significant difference was observed for carcass chilling yield, breast pH/R-value, and breast cooking yield/salt content, regardless of chilling method. Based on these results, chilling of boiler carcass in 3% NaCl/-1.8°C or higher NaCl and lower temperature solutions appears to improve carcass chilling efficiency and meat tenderness over the traditional water immersion chilling.

Hematological and serum biochemical profile of farm emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) at the onset of their breeding season.

Blood profiling is a helpful tool in detecting the health status, metabolic diseases, nutritional deficiencies, and welfare of animals. Body weights, body temperatures, hematological and serum biochemical parameters, enzymes, and electrolytes in both sexes of farm emus at the beginning of their breeding season (November in Canada), were determined. The reference interval for each analyte was also calculated. Emus have lower body temperatures (37.2 ± 0.2) than other poultry species. There was no significant between-sex difference in BW, body temperature, and all the hematological and enzyme parameters measured. However, females had significantly (P < 0.001) higher serum calcium, phosphorus, albumin, total protein, globulin, and triglyceride levels than males, probably in preparation for egg laying. We also examined our findings in light of their sex-role reversal in incubation and brooding. Contrary to other avian species in which only females incubate and brood, there was no sex difference in the hematological and enzyme parameters measured in emus. We found that emus are similar to other ratite species with respect to the changes in protein, globulin, triglyceride, and calcium levels. The findings from our study contribute to the database for reference emu hematological and serum enzyme, metabolite, and electrolyte values.

Ivermectin residues in squab.

No drugs have been approved for the treatment of parasitic nematodes in pigeons, but ivermectin, a broad-spectrum endectocide, has been used extra-label by prescription. Producers currently allow for a 2-wk withdrawal time before marketing squabs. However, because its use is extra-label there is no legal maximum residue limit for ivermectin in squab meat. The purpose of this study was to examine the depletion of ivermectin (passed by the parents to the squabs) from the tissues of squab. Adult pigeons brooding squab were treated with ivermectin in their drinking water (3.3 µg/mL) for 3 d. After dosing the parents, the ivermectin concentration of the breast meat and liver of squabs was found to be greater than the maximum residual limits established for livestock, indicating that ivermectin was transferred from the parents to the squabs. However, ivermectin was not detected in either the breast meat or the livers of squabs 1 wk after dosing. These results indicate that there is a rapid decline in tissue levels of ivermectin in squab.

Maintenance nitrogen requirements of adult female ostriches (Struthio camelus).

Successful ostrich farming requires knowledge of the nutritional needs of the birds. While much information is available on the nutritional value of various feed ingredients fed to ostriches, there is little known about their specific nutrient requirements. In this study, we measured the maintenance nitrogen requirements (MNR) of ostriches by nitrogen balance. We predict, based on the previous analysis of nitrogen requirements of various species of birds, that ostriches would have a MNR of 13.6-19.1 g N/day and a total endogenous nitrogen loss (TENL) of 2.8-5.1 g N/day. Three adult female ostriches were fed five pelleted diets containing 0.6-2.3% N [4-14.6% crude protein (CP)], 17.5 kJ/g gross energy (11.4 kJ/g ME) and 30% neutral detergent fibre. Each dietary trial consisted of a 10-day adaptation period, followed by a 5-day total excreta collection period. Body mass (109 ± 3 kg) and metabolizable energy intake (20.5 ± 0.7 MJ/day) were unaffected by dietary nitrogen levels. After correcting for excreta nitrogen losses during drying, MNR was calculated to be 481 mg N/kg(0.75) /day or 16.2 g N/day (100 g CP/day), and TENL as 310 mg N/kg(0.75) /day or 10.5 g N/day. Failure to correct for the 10.9 ± 4.1% average N losses during drying would underpredict the 'true' MNR by 35% and TENL by 46%. Our estimate for MNR of ostriches predicts a dietary requirement of 6.7% protein. Our estimate of TENL was nearly twice that predicted, possibly reflecting the high fibre content of their diet.

Effect of diatomaceous earth on parasite load, egg production, and egg quality of free-range organic laying hens.

The effectiveness of diatomaceous earth (DE) as a treatment against parasites and to increase feed efficiency and egg production of organically raised free-range layer hens was evaluated in 2 breeds of commercial egg layers [Bovan Brown (BB) and Lowmann Brown (LB)] that differ in their resistance to internal parasitic infections. Half the hens of each breed were fed diets supplemented with DE (2%). Their internal parasite loads were assessed by biweekly fecal egg counts (FEC) and by postmortem examination of the gastrointestinal tract. Supplementing DE in diets of LB hens, the more parasite-resistant breed, did not significantly affect their FEC and adult parasite load. However, BB hens treated with dietary DE had significantly lower Capillaria FEC, slightly lower Eimeria FEC, fewer birds infected with Heterakis, and significantly lower Heterakis worm burden than control BB hens. Both BB and LB hens fed the diet containing DE were significantly heavier, laid more eggs, and consumed more feed than hens fed the control diet, but feed efficiency did not differ between the 2 dietary treatments. Additionally, BB hens consuming the DE diet laid larger eggs containing more albumen and yolk than hens consuming the control diet. In a subsequent experiment, the effectiveness of DE to treat a Northern fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) infestation was tested. Relative to controls, both breeds of hens that were dusted with DE had reduced number of mites. The results of this study indicate the DE has the potential to be an effective treatment to help control parasites and improve production of organically raised, free-range layer hens.

Selenium enrichment of table eggs.

Selenium is an essential trace element with a recommended dietary allowance for human adults of 55 µg/d. However, there is evidence that greater dietary intakes may have possible health benefits, including a reduction in the risk of cancer. Several studies have shown the feasibility of enriching eggs using organic Se and that Se-enriched eggs are an effective way to supplement human diets. However, few studies have examined the response of egg Se concentration to high (>1 µg/g) dietary organic Se intake by the laying hens. The objective of the current study is to examine the effect of higher dietary organic Se levels on production, egg mass, and egg Se levels. These were assessed by feeding 3 breeds of laying hens (Barred Plymouth Rock, Lohmann Brown, Lohmann White) a basal diet containing 0.3 µg of Se/g of diet as Na2SeO3. Into this diet, Se yeast (SelenoSource AF 600), an organic source of Se, was added at 1.0, 2.4, or 5.1 µg of Se/g of diet for 4 wk. Feed consumption, egg production, and egg mass were not affected by the dietary Se concentration in all 3 breeds. Within the range of Se levels employed in the laying hens' diet, egg Se content increased linearly as dietary levels of Se increased. The results of this study indicate that feeding up to 5.1 µg/g of Se will not affect egg production and the welfare of the laying hen and is a practical way of producing Se-enriched eggs for the consumers.

Dissection of RAS downstream pathways in melanomagenesis: a role for Ral in transformation.

Cutaneous malignant melanoma is considered one of the most deadly human cancers, based on both its penchant for metastatic spread and its typical resistance to currently available therapy. Long known to harbor oncogenic NRAS mutations, melanomas were more recently reported to be frequent bearers of activating mutations in BRAF, one of the effectors situated downstream of wild-type NRAS. NRAS and BRAF mutations are rarely found in the same melanoma, suggesting that they may possess important overlapping oncogenic activities. Here, we compare and contrast the oncogenic roles of the three major NRas downstream effectors, Raf, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and Ral guanine exchange factor (RalGEF), using genetically engineered Arf-deficient immortalized mouse melanocytes as a model system. Although no single downstream pathway could recapitulate all of the consequences of oncogenic NRas expression, our data indicate a prominent role for BRaf and PI3K in melanocyte senescence and invasiveness, respectively. More surprisingly, we discovered that constitutive RalGEF activation had a major impact on several malignant phenotypes, particularly anchorage-independent growth, indicating that this often overlooked pathway should be more carefully evaluated as a possible therapeutic target.

Protein tyrosine phosphatases, new targets for cancer therapy.

Cellular growth and development are regulated by reversible phosphorylation of tyrosine residues in target proteins. Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) catalyse removal, and protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) the addition of phosphate. Data from various sources support a role for PTKs in transformation and it has long been hypothesized that some PTPs will function as tumour suppressor genes. Specific PTPs are down-regulated in some tumours, sometimes in association with ectopic expression of PTKs. Alternatively, other PTPs dephosphorylate and activate PTKs, and are themselves oncogenic. Much current interest surrounds the clinical introduction of specific PTK inhibitors, whereas targeting of PTPs remains largely unexplored. Phosphatases represent 4% of the drugable human genome and PTPs appear an important new target for cancer therapy. Here we briefly, describe PTP structure and function. Secondly, we review experimental and clinical data, which support a role for PTPs in neoplastic development. Next, we review current strategies for generation of agents targeting PTPs; these include re-expression of tumour suppressor genes (mediated via adenoviral vectors), and generation of small molecules designed to inhibit oncogenic activity. Finally, we address the role of PTPs in melanoma, an increasingly common tumour that may represent an appropriate target for therapeutic manipulation of PTP activity.

Cellular senescence in naevi and immortalisation in melanoma: a role for p16?

Cellular senescence, the irreversible proliferative arrest seen in somatic cells after a limited number of divisions, is considered a crucial barrier to cancer, but direct evidence for this in vivo was lacking until recently. The best-known form of human cell senescence is attributed to telomere shortening and a DNA-damage response through p53 and p21. There is also a more rapid form of senescence, dependent on the p16-retinoblastoma pathway. p16 (CDKN2A) is a known melanoma susceptibility gene. Here, we use retrovirally mediated gene transfer to confirm that the normal form of senescence in cultured human melanocytes involves p16, since disruption of the p16/retinoblastoma pathway is required as well as telomerase activation for immortalisation. Expression (immunostaining) patterns of senescence mediators and markers in melanocytic lesions provide strong evidence that cell senescence occurs in benign melanocytic naevi (moles) in vivo and does not involve p53 or p21 upregulation, although p16 is widely expressed. In comparison, dysplastic naevi and early (radial growth-phase, RGP) melanomas show less p16 and some p53 and p21 immunostaining. All RGP melanomas expressed p21, suggesting areas of p53-mediated senescence, while most areas of advanced (vertical growth-phase) melanomas lacked both p16 and p21, implying escape from both forms of senescence (immortalisation). Moreover, nuclear p16 but not p21 expression can be induced in human melanocytes by oncogenic BRAF, as found in around 80% of naevi. We conclude that cell senescence can form a barrier to melanoma development. This also provides a potential explanation of why p16 is a melanoma suppressor gene.

Abnormal pigmentation in hypomelanosis of Ito and pigmentary mosaicism: the role of pigmentary genes.

There is increasing evidence that hypomelanosis of Ito and related disorders such as linear and whorled naevoid hypermelanosis are due to mosaicism for a variety of chromosomal abnormalities. This group of disorders is better termed 'pigmentary mosaicism'. In this review we explain how disparate chromosomal abnormalities might manifest as a common pigmentary phenotype. In particular, we provide evidence supporting the hypothesis that the chromosomal abnormalities reported in these disorders specifically disrupt expression or function of pigmentary genes.

Effect of saline acclimation on body water and sodium compartmentalization in Pekin ducks (Anas platyrhynchos).

The compartmentalization of body fluids was measured in individual Pekin ducks ( Anas platyrhynchos) drinking freshwater and after sequential acclimation to 300 mM NaCl and 400 mM NaCl. Total body water, extracellular fluid volume, plasma volume and exchangeable sodium pool were measured using (3)H(2)O, [(14)C]-polyethylene glycol, Evans Blue dye, and (22)Na dilution, respectively. Following acclimation to 300 mM NaCl, body mass decreased, but total body water and total exchangeable sodium pool were unaltered. Na and water were redistributed from the extracellular fluid (interstitial fluid) compartment into the intracellular fluid compartment. Following further acclimation to 400 mM NaCl, body mass, total body water and intracellular fluid volume decreased, but exchangeable sodium pool and extracellular fluid volume were unchanged. Our results suggested that, when Pekin ducks drink high but tolerable salinities, they maintain total body water, but redistribute Na(+) and water from interstitial fluid to the intracellular fluid compartment. When stressed beyond their ability to maintain total body water, they lose water from the intracellular fluid.

Effect of saline intake on water flux and osmotic homeostasis in Pekin ducks (Anas platyrhynchos).

The physiological regulation of body water volume and concentration was evaluated in Pekin ducks, Anas platyrhynchos, slowly acclimated to increasingly saline drinking water (six equal 75 mM NaCl increments). Body mass, total body water (TBW), water flux, plasma osmolality (Osm(pl)), and ionic and osmoregulatory hormone concentrations were measured at the end of each increment. The salinity at which each variable deviates from its homeostatic set point was calculated by continuous two-phase linear regression. We hypothesized that, as drinking water salinity increases: (1) body water increases in concentration before it decreases in volume and (2) that regulating variables that help determine homeostatically set values (plasma hormone concentrations and water flux) deviate from values of freshwater ducks at lower drinking water salinities than the variables they regulate (Osm(pl), hematocrit, TBW). Osm(pl) was the first variable for which we could calculate a deviation from its homeostatically controlled value. It increases at much lower drinking water salinity than that at which TBW decreases, supporting our first hypothesis, but not our second hypothesis. We further hypothesized that, because the concentration of Pekin duck salt gland secretion is only slightly higher than that of their drinking water, they increase water flux (drinking) as salinity of drinking water increases, until the latter exceeds the secretion concentration and then they drink less. There was no change in water flux until it decreases when TBW decreases, 329 mM NaCl and 335 mM NaCl, respectively. The results do not support our hypothesis that Pekin ducks increase drinking as the salinity of their drinking water increases, but do indicate that, at tolerable salinities, Pekin ducks maintain body water volume while allowing body water osmolality to increase. At higher salinities, ducks decrease drinking and use body water to get rid of the excess salt.

The gene mutated in cocoa mice, carrying a defect of organelle biogenesis, is a homologue of the human Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome-3 gene.

Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is a group of human disorders of organelle biogenesis characterized by defective synthesis of melanosomes, lysosomes, and platelet dense granules. In the mouse, at least 15 loci are associated with mutant phenotypes similar to human HPS. We have identified the gene mutated in cocoa (coa) mice, which is associated with an HPS-like mutant phenotype and thus represents a strong candidate for human HPS. Analysis of coa-mutant mice and cultured coa-mutant mouse melanocytes indicates that the normal coa gene product is involved in early stages of melanosome biogenesis and maturation.

Agouti signaling protein and other factors modulating differentiation and proliferation of immortal melanoblasts.

The melanocyte lineage potentially forms an attractive model system for studies in cell differentiation, developmental genetics, cell signaling, and melanoma, because differentiated cells produce the visible pigment melanin. Immortal lines of murine melanoblasts (melanocyte precursors) have been described previously, but induction of differentiation involved a complex culture system with keratinocyte feeder cells. Here we describe conditions for both growth and induced differentiation of the melanoblast line melb-a, without feeder cells, and analyze factors that directly control proliferation and differentiation of these pure melanoblasts. Several active factors are products of developmental and other coat color genes, including stem cell factor (SCF), melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alphaMSH), and agouti signaling protein (ASP), a natural antagonist at the MSH receptor (melanocortin 1 receptor, MC1R) encoded by the agouti gene. A stable analog of alphaMSH (NDP-MSH) stimulated differentiation and inhibited growth. ASP in excess inhibited both effects of NDP-MSH, that is, ASP could inhibit pigmentation and stimulate growth. These effects provide an explanation for the interactions in mice of melanocyte developmental mutations with yellow agouti and Mc1r alleles, and a role for embryonic expression patterns of ASP.

Morphological and pathological effects of cadmium ingestion on Pekin ducks exposed to saline.

This study examined the effects of simultaneous exposure to saline and cadmium (Cd) on organ mass and histology of a bird with salt glands, the Pekin duck, Anas platyrhynchos. Three mixed-sex groups, each containing 6 birds, ate duck pellets containing 0, 50, or 300 microg Cd/g, respectively, for 4 1/2 mo and drank 300 mM NaCl. Only females on the high-Cd diet lost body mass. Ingestion of Cd reduced heart mass in females. There was increased mass of Harderian and salt glands in both sexes. Mass of kidneys and liver increased only in males, and the gut mass (also length) increased more in males. Cadmium ingestion also induced (1) inflammation of renal interstitium and degenerative tubular changes, (2) marked degenerative changes in testes, (3) increased heart water content, (4) decreased cytoplasmic volume of liver cells, (5) reduced proportion of basophilic granular cells in chromaffin tissue of the adrenal glands, and (6) in the ileum, increased heterophilia in the lamina propria and, only in females, the apoptosis to mitosis ratio in crypt cells of the epithelium. The ducks' outward appearance gave no indication that ingesting large amounts of cadmium for 4 1/2 mo produced deleterious effects, but the physiological consequences were profound. Both sexes had greatly reduced gonadal mass and the males produced no sperm. The higher dietary level greatly hypertrophied the liver, kidneys, and gut only in males. The cadmium-induced changes in organs, particularly in the gonads, kidneys, and adrenal glands, should greatly impair the health and reproductive capacity of these ducks.

Protein tyrosine kinases in malignant melanoma.

Protein tyrosyl phosphorylation is an essential component in intracellular signalling, with diverse and crucial functions including mediation of cell proliferation, survival, death, differentiation, migration and attachment. It is regulated by the balance between the activities of protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and protein tyrosine phosphatases. A number of PTKs are encoded by proto-oncogenes or viral oncogenes, and are thus strongly implicated in cancer. While a role for PTKs in human melanoma is less firmly established, human melanomas or melanoma cells have been reported to contain more tyrosine phosphate than normal melanocytes, and some receptor PTKs (EPH-A2/ ECK and EPH-B3) are overexpressed in over 90% of melanoma cell lines. Other specific PTKs are also frequently overexpressed, including KDR and fibroblast growth factor receptor-4 (FGF-R4), while, interestingly, yet others, such as KIT and FES, are consistently downregulated in melanoma cell lines. All of these differentially expressed PTKs are candidates for gene products important in melanoma development. In addition, PTKs expressed in significant amounts in both benign and malignant melanocytes, such as insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1-R), FGF-R1, HER2/NEU and FAK, are likely to play a role in melanoma genesis and progression.

Oa1 knock-out: new insights on the pathogenesis of ocular albinism type 1.

Ocular albinism type I (OA1) is an X-linked disorder characterized by severe reduction of visual acuity, strabismus, photophobia and nystagmus. Ophthalmologic examination reveals hypopigmentation of the retina, foveal hypoplasia and iris translucency. Microscopic examination of both retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and skin melanocytes shows the presence of large pigment granules called giant melanosomes or macromelanosomes. In this study, we have generated and characterized Oa1-deficient mice by gene targeting (KO). The KO males are viable, fertile and phenotypically indistinguishable from the wild-type littermates. Ophthalmologic examination shows hypopigmentation of the ocular fundus in mutant animals compared with wild-type. Analysis of the retinofugal pathway reveals a reduction in the size of the uncrossed pathway, demonstrating a misrouting of the optic fibres at the chiasm, as observed in OA1 patients. Microscopic examination of the RPE shows the presence of giant melanosomes comparable with those described in OA1 patients. Ultrastructural analysis of the RPE cells, suggests that the giant melanosomes may form by abnormal growth of single melanosomes, rather than the fusion of several, shedding light on the pathogenesis of ocular albinism.

Effect of cadmium on Pekin duck total body water, water flux, renal filtration, and salt gland function.

The following hypotheses were examined using Pekin ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) as a model for marine ducks: cadmium (Cd) intake affects (1) salt gland and/or kidney function of ducks and (2) osmoregulation differently in male and female ducks. Birds were fed 0, 50, or 300 microg Cd/g food. They were gradually acclimated to 450 mM NaCl and then drank 300 mM NaCl for 3 mo while salt gland secretion (SGS), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), total body water (TBW), and water flux (WF) were measured in ducks eating control and high-Cd diets. Cadmium ingestion did not markedly affect body mass, but significantly enlarged the salt glands and kidneys. Enhancement of kidney mass was greater in males. Cadmium ingestion did not affect TBW or WF, but tended to increase interstitial fluid space at the expense of intracellular fluid. Sex did not affect TBW, but males had greater WF. Birds that ate Cd diets, especially the higher Cd diet, exhibited renal tubular damage and lower GFR. Ducks that ate Cd had lower plasma sodium concentration and osmolality and, to activate SGS, required longer infusion of NaCl and larger increments

Isolation and expression in Escherichia coli of cslA and cslB, genes coding for the chondroitin sulfate-degrading enzymes chondroitinase AC and chondroitinase B, respectively, from Flavobacterium heparinum.

In medium supplemented with chondroitin sulfate, Flavobacterium heparinum synthesizes and exports two chondroitinases, chondroitinase AC (chondroitin AC lyase; EC 4.2.2.5) and chondroitinase B (chondroitin B lyase; no EC number), into its periplasmic space. Chondroitinase AC preferentially depolymerizes chondroitin sulfates A and C, whereas chondroitinase B degrades only dermatan sulfate (chondroitin sulfate B). The genes coding for both enzymes were isolated from F. heparinum and designated cslA (chondroitinase AC) and cslB (chondroitinase B). They were found to be separated by 5.5 kb on the chromosome of F. heparinum, transcribed in the same orientation, but not linked to any of the heparinase genes. In addition, the synthesis of both enzymes appeared to be coregulated. The cslA and cslB DNA sequences revealed open reading frames of 2,103 and 1,521 bp coding for peptides of 700 and 506 amino acid residues, respectively. Chondroitinase AC has a signal sequence of 22 residues, while chondroitinase B is composed of 25 residues. The mature forms of chondroitinases AC and B are comprised of 678 and 481 amino acid residues and have calculated molecular masses of 77,169 and 53,563 Da, respectively. Truncated cslA and cslB genes have been used to produce active, mature chondroitinases in the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli. Partially purified recombinant chondroitinases AC and B exhibit specific activities similar to those of chondroitinases AC and B from F. heparinum.